Tuesday Treat from something new.

Welcome to Tuesday Treat

Today I thought I’d share something new from a work in progress with you. This comes from my newest historical. The piece is unedited and so do forgive any bloopers you might find. This is very much a work in progress. I’d love to know your thoughts on it.

“Have you discussed our arrangement with Miss Fairchild, marm?” He turned to Magot and waited.

“Yes, at some length. Miss Fairchild understands the situation and has agreed with me she will place herself in your charge. In truth, the young lady has no alternative.”

He glanced over to where she sat but she didn’t raise her gaze. “I hope you won’t find the arrangement too onerous, Miss Fairchild.” Still nothing. In a younger child, one might call it a show of vexatious temper and it didn’t become her at all.

The door opened and a footman led in a housemaid carrying a tea tray, which the girl set down. “Miss Fairchild, if you would be so kind as to make tea and pour. His lordship has a preference for lemon.” Margot sat stiff backed.

Miss Fairchild rose with a frown and heels slopping in the overlarge shoes crossed to sit by the table. The servants left and the only sound in the room came from the clatter of the spoons as she used them. She shook her hand. “Damn it all!”

Margot’s eyebrows shot up. “Evangeline!”

“I told you I’d rather not.”

He rose and took the girl’s steam scalded hand. Not too desperate. He dipped his handkerchief in the coldwater jug on the tray, and pressed it to the redness in the join between her thumb and forefinger. The savage marks on her wrists, visible when the lace cuff flipped, must be painful too, as would be her mouth. “Hold the cloth there and it should prevent a blister.”

She sucked at her split lip and put her other hand on top of the handkerchief.

“I can’t pour like this.”

Margot rose. “Go and sit out of the way. I will pour.”

The young lady moved away and returned to slump in the seat opposite the hearth with its painted screen.